Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) 2025: summary of changes

2024 updates made to KCSIE 

These include:

• amending the definition of ‘safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children’ in line with Working together to safeguard children 2023²
• additional information around when children may require early help, in accordance with the guidance in Working together
• a recommendation for school staff, governors and trustees to use the DfE Data Protection guidance for schools³ to understand data protection
• clarification that schools continue to be responsible for the safeguarding of pupils they place with an alternative provision provider.

2023 updates made to KCSIE 

These include:

• clarification around the roles and responsibilities of education staff in relation to filtering and monitoring
• clarification that being absent, as well as missing, from education can be warning sign of a range of safeguarding concerns, including sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or child criminal exploitation
• additional information on online pre-recruitment checks for shortlisted candidates
• information on responding to allegations related to organisations or individuals using school premises.

2022 updates made to KCSIE 

These include:

• incorporating the DfE’s advice on Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges⁴
• setting out the safeguarding implications for schools of human rights and equality legislation
• providing more information on managing low level concerns
• reinforcing the importance of talking to parents about children’s access to online sites when away from school.